Hauer, whose TV work includes appearances on "Smallville" and "Alias," will play a character named Macklyn, a shady character with a longstanding connection to Sookie Stackhouse and her brother, Jason.

When "True Blood" returns for its sixth season, it will do so with a new showrunner in the form of Mark Hudis, who's taking the reins from creator Alan Ball as Ball moves on to concentrate on other projects. (He'll stay on with "True Blood" in a consulting capacity.)

Hudis currently serves as a co-executive producer of the series.

TV Line first reported news of Hauer's casting.

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